Display-case



(No Model.)

T. S. SPIVBY. DISPLAY CASE.

FIG-.1.

, Inventor.

UNITED STATES EPA-TENT THOMAS s. SPIVEY, or CINCINNATI, OHIO.

DISPLAY-OAS E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 538,849, dated May 7, 1895.

Application fiieaJanua r 4,1395. $eria1N'o. 533,819. on inodel.)

5 of Ohio, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Display-Case's; and I do hereby declare the followi ngtobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, reference being had to the annexed drawings,

to which form part of this specification.

My invention comprises a sample case wherein specimens of ribbons, and other similar fabrics can be readily secured and displayed to the best advantage, the peculiar construction of said case, and the method of applying the samples thereto being hereinafter more fully described, and then pointed out in the claims.

In the annexed drawings, Figure 1 is a plan showing the preferred form of my displaycase half filled with samples. Fig. 2is an enlarged vertical section of the case, taken at the line zz of the preceding illustration. Fig. 3 is a still greater enlarged section through 2 5 one of the bearers of said case. Fig. 4 is a vertical section of amodification of my invention.

A represents a shallow box or caseof any desired size, shape and material, although'it is usually rectangular, is made of paste-board,

and arranged to contain two or three dozen pieces of ribbons, or other samples, the exact,

number thereof being immaterial. Glued,or' otherwise fastened within this case are parallel bearers consisting of thin wooden-strips B, B, O, O, D, D; the bearers B, B, and D, D, being grooved along their upper edges, as seen at b, b, d, d, in Fig. 2.

E is a narrow sheet of paste-boardor other similar material capable of being bowed or 0 bent outwardly at any shape suitable for a backing or mount, and having one margin glued or fastened within the groove 22, while its opposite edge is similarly secured within the groove 1).

F is another backing or mount, having one edge secured within the groove b, while its opposite edge is bent laterally to form a horizontal flange f, that rests upon the ungrooved strip 0. I

G is a backing having its edges secured within the longitudinal grooves d, d, of bearers D, D, and His another backing having one edge inserted within thegroove d, and its onposite edge formed into a'horizontal flange 71, that rests upon the other ung'rooved bearer O.

I is a flat sheet, plate or veneer resting upon the flanges f, h, and 11 are tacks that secure said sheet and flanges to the pair of ungrooved bearers O, O. This sheet I usually has a central panel or border J within which are inscribed the name and address of the maker of. the samples, while two smaller panels 3,7", are utilized for describing the quality and price of the goods; but these features J,j,j, are mere minor details of the case, andhave nothing whatever to do with the invention.

K are keepers of wood, or sheet brassor nickel-plated metal, and have beadsor heads It, at their upper edges. hese keepers are sufficiently long to extend across the case, andwhen in position, they reach down about to the-:bottomof the grooves, as more clearly seen in Fig. 3, which illustration shows one of these keepers as being wedge-shaped in vertical section.

In constructing my display-case, the length of each backing, as E, should slightly exceed the combined width of a definite number of samples, in order that their edges may be a limited distance apart, six, twelve or eighteen pieces being generally arranged in each row across the case. In Fig. 1, a number of these fastened samples are'shown at Y, the attachment being usually eifected with paste or mucilage. The paste or other adhesive medium isapplied to the rear edges of the sam "pies, and then they are drawn smoothly over the backings, so as to present an unwrinkled surface, and after the case has been filled, the various keepers K are inserted, as above described, the heads or beads 70 of the same serving to conceal the pasted ends of the ribbons. Consequently, the goods need not be out very accurately,- and if loose threads should project at their ends, these beads 70 5 will prevent them being seen. Therefore, when the case is completely filled, the sampleslpresent a uniform convex-surface, and by arranging them in such a manner as to afford harmonious contrasts of color, the attractiveness of the display will be greatly enhanced.

It is customary to hinge a prop L to the back of the case, for the purpose of supporting it at such an angle as will afford the best view of the samples; it being understood that my device is usually placed within an ordinary show-case having glass sides and top.

In the modification of my invention, seen in Fig. 4, the metallic keepers are omitted, and the ends of the samples are concealed by wooden moldings or strips M, tacked to the bearers B, B. Furthermore, this illustration shows that the bowed mount or baekingN is a single sheet of pliable material extending continuously from the strip B to the strip 0.

In another, but inferior modification of the invention, the samples themselves may be omitted, and colors representing them may be printed upon the exposed surfaces of the backings E, F, 850., but this expedient would not show the texture and finish of the goods,

which is a matter of great importance in a display-case.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination, in a display-case, of a shallow box; parallel bearers secu red therein, and having grooves in their upper edges; and outwardly-bowed baekings having their margins rigidly fastened within said grooves, for the purpose stated.

2. The combination, in a display-case, of a shallow box; parallel bearers secured therein, and having grooves in their upper edges; outwardly-bowed backings having their margins rigidly inserted within said grooves; and keepers fastened in the latter, for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS S. SPIVEY.

Witnesses:

J AMES H. LAYMAN, ARTHUR MOORE. 

